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Does this family ever get any rest from mourning? They lost Eunice Kennedy Shriver two weeks ago and now… iconic senator Ted Kennedy lost his battle with brain cancer.

Here’s the thing about paparazzi parenting or, in this case, surrogate parenting in the spotlight as the patriarch of the Kennedy family. Then look at all of the tragedies over the years that have impacted their lives. Ted lost his brothers Joseph, John, and Bobby. When JFK, Jr. passed away 10 years ago, it was Ted Kennedy who took the reigns as the surrogate parent. He was the one who kept the family intact, released the family statements, dealt with the press, and kept a firm upper lip to be strong for the family. Sure, their family has endured a lot of triumphs as well, but it always seems unfortunate when tragedies occur to them. For a longer, more formal tribute, be sure to read the obituary in The New York Times. For purposes of this blog, let’s focus on surrogate parenting.

As we look at Americana, royalty, and the very fabric of our culture, it’s embedded with the Kennedy’s. Whether you’re a fan of them or not, whether you’re a right or left winger, there’s no denying the indelible stamp their family’s legacy has left on our nation’s history, politics, and government.

So, as our country mourns the fallen senator, let’s not forget: a parental role in the spotlight can indeed be done with dignity, grace, and even when it’s not your own children you’re protecting. To quote another senator, as in Hillary Rodham Clinton, “It takes a village.” Amen!

As you heard of the passing of the late senator, what thoughts came to mind? Were you like me in not being able to name any other senators by name other than the one from your home state and Massachusetts? Or perhaps you were thinking about the Kennedy family and how they each left their mark and place in history? Or how at least this Kennedy got to endure a long life to see his hair become gray and see the younger members of the family become adults? Let’s discuss.

Can you imagine being in the spotlight and keeping something super-personal under wraps? Well, out of respect for the stars, there are some things you probably wouldn’t want leaked. This is one of them.

Then again, when you have big news to share and want to do it on your own terms (and not a tabloid’s), it’s time to shout it to the rooftops! Celine Dion is pregnant and due next May! Here’s the scoop: the 41-year-old Canadian singer is very early in her pregnancy thanks to an embryo that was frozen in liquid nitrogen for the past eight years. Eight years! (Is there an echo in here? Ha!)

You may recall Celine has a son, Rene-Charles, who was born in January 2001. While trying to conceive R-C (we’ll call him that for short, ‘k?), she had her embryos frozen. Fast forward: her mega-watt performances in Vegas ended in 2007 and at that time she consulted her doctor about conceiving again. It was time to have the embryos transferred back and, well, the rest is history. Or herstory. After all, the sex of the baby right now is still unknown!

Do you think it’s wise to share information with the world at this point or should she perhaps wait a little longer to not jinx anything (that is, for those of us who are superstitious)?

{Photo: CNS}

Startraks

Ah, Nannyhood. Nannyville. Nannydom. Whatever you call it, make no mistake about it: celebrities hire help. Sure, they may want you to think they’re a stay at home mom but when it comes to behind the scenes work, there are lots of extra hands helping out.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

But there seems to be something entirely right about going nannyless. As in, let’s do it ourselves, let’s drive our own children, feed them, bathe them, be with them 24/7, and raise them like the good ol’ days.

Enter Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck. Maybe I’m partial because I interviewed Ben a few years ago and thought he was cool, sincere, and smart, but this couple seems to be on to something. Perhaps they could start a new Hollywood trend without even knowing it?

Do they have the money? You bet. Do they have the resources? Most likely. Do they have the impetus to say the heck with the nanny world and just raise Violet and Seraphina on their very own? Yes, yes, yes!

Lovin’ it. Just because there’s an unwritten nanny rule in Hollywood doesn’t mean all the celebs follow it. And, we can only imagine by what we have seen of sweet Violet in photos there seems to be a grounded, adorable, well-disciplined, very much adored little girl. Just sayin’.

What are your thoughts? Do you think celebs should always have a nanny considering they can afford it or is it not at all about the money and instead about the time and good ol’ TLC spent on your very own kid instead?

While Tori Spelling’s been in the news so much lately for her popular reality show and as a guest host on the fourth hour of Today while Hoda was out of town, it made me long for the days when I actually used to religiously watch a show and felt like the characters were my peeps. I connected with them. They seemed like my friends and every Wednesday night I’d tune in (along with my dorm-mates) to see what Brandon, Andrea, Kelly, Donna, Steve, David, and yes, Valerie (pre-Valerie: Brenda!) were up to. That hour was packed with coming-of-age topics and classic lines. Who could forget? “Donna Martin graduates! Donna Martin graduates!”

Ah, memories. Beverly Hills 90210 (as in the original from 1990 – 2000) is classic. So when Tiffani Thiessen (also known as Tiffani-Amber Thiessen) was in the news lately, I kinda rejoiced. Okay, maybe not rejoiced but there’s something comfy about seeing a familiar face in the headlines again. Kinda like when Jennie Garth was on Dancing With the Stars. Okay, I promise you I’m not a stalkerazzi, but 90210 rocked!

Okay, here’s the dealio: Tiffani was quoted as saying she’s focused on her new show, White Collar, and wants to have a family in due time but right now the focus is the show. I think she’s cool, I think she’s a smart woman, but you know what? Aside from the whole biological clock thing, is it just me or is it weird we never seem to hear an actor talk about when he wants to start a family?! How is it any of our business whether or not she wants to have kids or when? I guess when you’re a celeb it comes with a territory but it’s not something we commonfolk talk about here in Manhattan a lot. People just go about their daily business without being asked their plans, especially when they’re 35 or older and not a parent.

It seems we’re so focused on the work/life balance thing from a woman’s perspective, but what about the guy and his concerns about how to manage it all? I have yet to hear a man talk about maintaining balance it as a dad. And yes, I think I’ve officially gone to one too many women’s power events, ha ha. I give Tiffani props for marching to her own beat while her peers are all having kids.

What do you think? Should this personal topic be talked about, should men talk about it, or does it not matter as everyone marches to their own beat anyway? Hmmm….

{Photo: Getty}

Okay, now if you’re like me and grew up in the ’80s, you know this for sure: it would not have been the same without John Hughes’ movies. Weird Science, The Breakfast Club, Pretty in Pink, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off! You name it, the teen angst was there along with classic lines like, “If he gets up, we’ll all get up, it’ll be anarchy!”

Ah, the teenage years. So my provoking thought to you is this: perhaps John was a surrogate parent to all of us during that time. Check that – more like a super cool uncle who “got” our generation. When I heard the immensely talented writer and director passed away the other day, I was immediately saddened. And then, almost instantly, celebratory in honor of his work! Perhaps he served as the talented, surrogate, cool uncle to our generation when you truly think about it. I remember seeing Ferris in the movie theater. I recall having classmates talk about The Breakfast Club in homeroom the Monday after seeing the film for the first time. Or how about watching Sixteen Candles at a sleepover party, hoping your first boyfriend would definitely be a hottie like Jake? I think Pretty in Pink inspired me to create vintage jewelry and, for sure, long for a friend like Duckie.

Although we didn’t hear a lot about his work in recent years, we can all relate to the fun flicks Hughes created and with which we connected. My friends, this is where Hollywood seems real.

It’s not about the superficial celebrity stuff. It’s not about who wore what, where they ate, or who they’re dating. Shouldn’t it truly be about substance? Maybe it’s because I’m not starstruck when I interview celebs and instead focus on the neat project they’re promoting or working on as they go from gig to gig transforming themselves, stretching their abilities. Quality work with a message, with a story, with a compelling tale to share? John Hughes seemed to epitomize this as he made movies for his audience instead of big box office suits.

So, as we lost a talented member of the creative Tinseltown circle this past week, what type of role did he play to you? Was it a pseudo paparazzi parent? Distant cousin perhaps? Or maybe, just maybe, the uber-cool uncle.

The New York Times

I kinda like to kick it old school. I love walking on the Brooklyn Bridge. Keeping things simple like having mentors or really good conversations that dive beneath the surface for hours, or sending thank-you cards via snail mail. So, when it comes to a feel-good celebrity who seems part hero, part down-to-earth real guy, part larger than life, no one could surpass our modern day hero, Lance Armstrong.

Well, in this year’s Tour de France, he finished in an unlikely place. Check that, an unfamiliar place. That’s right: Armstrong finished third. What he said may surprise you: he felt it was good for his kids to see him not win. After all, could you imagine being his kids, learning first-hand about discipline and toughness, agility and athleticism? Victory after victory both on and off the cycling circuit?

Armstrong explained, “Because they saw their dad that never lost, and the kids in their class [say] ‘your dad never loses,’ so it’s good for them to see dad get third and still be cool with that and still be happy.”

His star just seems to shine brighter and brighter in this writer’s book. We’re blessed to have a modern day hero and moreover, his nine-year-old son, seven-year-old twins, and newborn are very blessed to have a dad like him. Viva le Armstrong!

What are your thoughts? Aside from Armstrong who do you think is the quintessential present day hero that’s mythical and astounding beyond words?

INF

I don’t claim to understand Hollywood life, ha ha. I just study it. A lot. Almost like an anthropologist studying a socio-economical status or foreign tribe in the midst of their habitat, if you will. So when it comes to hearing about the glam relationships and the like, nothing ceases to amaze me.

Kinda like how couples have babies out of wedlock and then — oops — get engaged as their kids become old enough to be in their parents’ own wedding. Or having tons of relationships and, consequently, divorces at a very young age. It seems to happen more frequently in Tinseltown than in America’s towns, villages, and cities (although it still happens everywhere, of course the non-traditional relationships seem to happen more frequently in Hollywood).  It always seems to be an anomaly when you frequently hear about such stories among celebrity-ville.

Like Jude Law. Let’s face it: That man can act! The two-time Oscar nominee and actor of the upcoming film Repo certainly has a lot of talent and a lot to be proud of in the industry. But, when we look at his personal life, it could be deemed a different story.

Who knows, maybe he’s just one the mags choose to single out, but remember Sienna Miller? She’s the actress in the current flick, G.I. Joe? As Jude’s former fiancee, she broke off the engagement once she heard he had cheated on her with the nanny. And now, the father of three children is in headlines since he’ll become a daddy once more.

A model and actress in Florida with whom Jude recently had a relationship is expecting a daughter this October around the same time that Jude will star in Hamlet on Broadway in a 12-week stint.

What are your thoughts: Is Jude just in the news a lot for his off-screen romances and not enough for his on-screen talents?